Foldable top for vehicles.



J- T- WOLFE.

FOLDABLE TOP FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED 050.2. 1913.

1,259,331, Patented Mar. 12, M8.

3 SHEETS-SHEET Q/Vi 14M000 Suva Hoe:

J. T. WOLFE.

FOLDABLE TOP FOR VEHiCLES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-2.19i3.

1 259 3319 Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEETYZ- g] 11 0Q 44 601 i h two/noes T. WOLFE.

FOLDABLE TOP FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED nc.2.1913.

Patenmd Mar. 12, 191%.

mvem fo'cx UNITE STATES ATENT union.

FOLDABLE TOP FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

Application filed December 2, 1913. Serial N 0. 804,203.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES THRUSTON WVoLrn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, D. C., have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foldable Tops for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in folding tops designed more particularly for use in connection with motor vehicles and has for its object the provision of-a top, preferably of the usual shape and material, associated with improved supporting instrumentalities rendering the same easily manipulated in raising or lowering the top; compact in form when folded; and held with sufficient firmness when raised with reference to the body of the vehicle to resist air pressures, etc., in the travel of the vehicle.

A long recognized want in the automobile art has been a folding top, capable of being conveniently handled by a single person, as distinguished from several, ordinarily required, and the basis of my conception has been the idea of furnishing what may be properly designated a oneman top, and in furtherance of this idea the means which I have devised has been demonstrated by experience to be simple, inexpensive, durable, and capable in every way of accomplishing the desired results. The means devised by me comprehend also a structure wherein what. is now commonly known as an intermediate bow or vertical support which is attached to the body is capable of being dispensed with.

Such means as constitute the preferred embodiment. of my invention comprise a suitable bow pi-votally mounted on the vehicle body at the rear thereof, operating in conjunction with the usual depending back pieces of the top to support and stay the top at the rear of the vehicle, in combination with a collapsible arched supporting frame projecting forwardly from said bow and supporting the forward or central and forward portions of the top, as the case may be, and so independently and with the elimination of the customary forward bow or top support which is usually attached to the body the handling of which forward bows in the securing thereof in their respective sockets without scratching or mar-ring the body, together with the Weight and un-' wieldly character of the general arrangement, has heretofore required the assistance of at least two persons to raise and fasten the ordinary top in place. The frame comprises broadly a rim for the front margin or edge of the top, a pair of downwardly breakable jointed arch forming side rods extending therefrom to an. adjacent rear bow. An intermediate bow is conveniently associated with the central portion of the top to support the same and resting upon the jointed arch-forming side rods to be inturn sup ported and held in place by the latter, the usual front stay straps running from the forward end of the top to a part of the ve hicle frame or top construction and impart-- ing the requisite stability thereto when raised.

From the foregoing general understanding of the invention it will be appreciated that my improvements contemplate two im portant characteristics, one a supporting frame for the forward portion of a top, including a pair of jointed side bars arched upwardly to a degree which renders them self-sustaining under the cover load and normally supporting said frame but adapted to break in a downward direction to permit folding of the top, and second, the provision of an intermediate bow which is mounted upon or supported by the self-sustaining side bars in a manner to impose the cover load upon said side bars; the particular embodiment of said intern'iediatc how selected for purposes of illustration being afloating bow,that is a bow which, when the top is folded is freed relative to its normal operative association or connection between the covering material and the jointed side bars or equivalent frame which supports the bow so that the covering material may rest upon and in turn be supported on the bow. An inspection of the accompanying drawings in connection with the specific description hereinafter contained will assist in imparting a full ululerstanding of the details in the construction and arrangement of parts.

In the drawings: Figure l is a side elevation of an automobile with my improved top applied in place thereon,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the top removed from the vehicle,

Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view illustratire of the various stages of the folding of the top.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line w-w of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow,

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a second embodiment of the invention wherein three rear bows are employed in lieu of two as shown in the former instance, and

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing a third embodiment of the invention in a small top wherein the floating bow proposition is dispensed with.

Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views, A represents in a diagrammatic way the body of an automobile of what might be said to be the four passenger style, the same bein provided with a flexible waterproof topflil secured to the body at the rear thereof by the usual depending back straps or pieces C, and fastened and stayed at tie front end by means of the stay straps D fastened in the usual manner to the frame of the body A.

The means for supporting the top and constituting the essence of the present invention comprises,and here we will have reference first to the first four figures of the drawings,a pair of bows E (arranged vertically with respect to the body) and F (inclining rearwardly therefrom), said bows being pivotally connected together, as at e, and to the usual supporting bracket on the body A, as at f in the usual way.

The covering material or top B is arranged to overlie the bows E and F and 1s secured thereto in the usual manner. Around the forward end of the top I provide a horizontally disposed rim G to which the cover material is secured and projecting rearwardly from the ends of this rim I provide a pair of rods H, preferably of adjustable sections, as shown at h, to lengthen or shorten them as the shrinkage or expansion of the flexible top material may make desirable. These rods H are pivotally connected at J to a pair of rods I, pivoted at 2' to an intermediate point along the front edge of the bow E. It will be observed that the pivotal connection J is in the nature of a rule joint having the abutting edges j thereof directed downwardly so that to break the joint the rods H and I must be depressed relative to the cover or toward the body, and it will also be further observed that the combined length of the two rods H and I is greater than the distance between the rim member G and the bow E and that thereby the two members H and I when sprung or moved upwardly will form a supporting arch and therefore that this rule joint occupies a position well up within the top, while the pivot point iis below the top, so that the sides 6 of the top willcooperate with the stay straps D in holding the top in a taut firm condition and pre- 6, but in the instance of the figuresmow being described where the top is of course larger, it is expedient to provide an intermediate support for the top and this is constituted by what I have appropriately named a floating bow K, the depending ends in of which are notched, as at k to receiveportions of the side rods H and be supported thereby to in turn support the covering material thereabove, the terminals L of this floating bow K extending downwardly a substantial distance below the rods H when viewed from their normal supporting position so as to constitute guiding surfaces or arms insuring the seating of the rods H in the notched portions when the top is being opened from the folded position (Fig. 3).

The floating bow -K may be associated in any desirable practical manner with the rods H and cover material constituting the top, but I have found that a ready means of accomplishing the purpose is by attaching the floating bow to the cover material so that the same will be carried by the latter and as the side bars break downwardly to permit the folding of the top as indicated, and the covering material is folded inwardly in the customary manner, the floating how will be carried by the top and tucked away so to speak, within the cover material, when the cover is collapsed, and carried outwardly and upwardly thereby into operative position when the top is raised.

By the arrangement defined it is simply necessary for one person to engage the rim of the top, draw the same rearwardly from the folded full line position of Fig. 3 to straighten out the jointed rods H and I into supporting position, then draw the top up to the position indicated in full lines, Fig. 3, and then forwardly over to the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, when the stay straps D are buckled, and the top is ready for its expected service, only a few seconds being required for the operation when one becomes accustomed to the handling of the top, which, as will be instantly appreciated, is incomparable to the manner of raising a. top with the usual duplication of the rear bows,alone employed by me,at the front of the top.

While in Fig. 6 I have illustrated a small top, and in the first four figures what might be said an intermediate sized top, I have in Fig. 5 shown a top illustrating the still longer style of top, employed for example, in a seven passenger car, and in which connection it will be observed I simply utilize an additional forwardly inclined rear-.bow M pivoted to the bow E to which bow M, instead of the vertical bow E of F ig. 2, I pivot the jointed side rods h.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the rear bow E may be designated a main bow; that the rearward portions of the upwardly arched side bars may be regarded as arms pivoted thereto, while the forward portions of said arched side bars together with the front bow carried thereby, and which I have referred to as a supporting frame for the forward portion of the top, may be defined as an outrigger bow pivoted to the forward ends of the arms and adapted to form therewith upwardly extending elbows; while the folding bow stands in the relation of an intermediate bow, and means are provided for affording it a bearing on the side bars, and

when thus in bearing on the side bars and transmitting the load developed by the tension of the cover, it affords an effective means for limiting the upward movement of the arch-forming members, or in other words prevents the upward breaking of the elbows. It will further be seen that in the described organization and cooperative relationship of parts disclosed, the forward 01' outer portions of the arched side bars, which carry the front bow, form angles on their lower sides with the rearward or inner portions thereof, in the extended condition of the side bars, and thereby develop rearward thrust in said outer portions from the tension of the cover, and tend to raise said inner portions upwardly. It will also be seen that this forward or outrigger bow stands in the relation of an auxiliary bow to the parts upon which it is mounted, and that in the described relation of the intermediate orsupplemental bow, as it may be termed, in which it transmits to the upwardly arched side members, the load developed by the tension of the cover, said intermediate or supplemental bow is necessarily maintained in its engaging position by said tension of the top covering, between it and the auxiliary bow, so that the front and rear portions of the auxiliary bow or side bars, constitute the compress1on memher, while the intermediate or supplemental bow constitutes the strut, and the cover material provides the tension member of a rigid truss supporting the forward end of the top covering.

While I have herein disclosed special embodiments of the invention, it will be ununderstood by workers skilled in the art, that the invention is capable of embodiment in various other forms and devices without departing from the spirit thereof and as may be in keeping with the hereto appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a foldable top of the character de scribed comprising a flexible coverin and a rear suporting bow member, of a orward rim member attached to the coverin material, and means for supporting the orward part of the top comprisin arch forming pivotally united rod mem ers of a combined length greater than the distance between the bow and the forward r'im part, forming thereby an independent upstanding supporting arch when the top is extended, and means for connecting the forward end of the top to a part of the vehicle.

2. In a vehicle top, the combination with a rear supporting bow and a flexible cover, of a forward rim member, means for tensioning the cover and maintaining the said forward rim in position when the top is extended and pivotally united arch forming supportin members between the rear bow and the said forward rim part of a combined length greater than the distance between the bow and the rim part whereby when the top is in an extended position an upstanding independently operable arched support will be formed, substantially as described.

3. In a vehicle top, the combination with a rear bow and a flexible cover, of a forward rim member, means for tensioning the cover and maintaining the said forward rim member in position when the top is extended and pivotally united arch forming supporting members pivoted to the rear bow and located between said rear bow and the said forward rim member of a combined length greater than the distance between the rear bow and the' rim member, whereby when the top is in an extended position an arched support will be formed, and means for supporting and engaging the cover .intermediate the bow and the said rim mem her, said means being operatively associated with the said arch forming supporting members and located wholly forward of the pivot between said supporting members and rear how.

4. In a vehicle top, the combination with a rear bow and a flexible cover, of a forward rim member, means for tensionincr the cover and maintaining the said forward rim member in, position when the top is extended and; pivotally united arch forming supporting members pivoted to the rear bow and located between the rear bow and the said forward rim part, of a combined length greater than the distance between the bow and the rim part, whereby when the top is in an extended position an arched support will be formed, and "means for supporting and engaging the cover intermediate the rear bow and the forward rim member mounted on the arch forward of the rear supporting bow and provided with means for engagin the said arch forming supporting mem ers.

5. A foldable top of the character described comprising a covering material, bows for supporting the rear portion of the covering material, and a frame for supporting the forward portion of the covering material comprising a pair of downwardly breakable jointed side rods pivoted at one end to an adjacent bowland secured at the forward end to the front portion of the top, the joint in said rods occupying a raised position relative to the pivotal connection thereof with the bows, the joint in the side rods also being disposed a substantial distance above the side edges of the covering I material and the pivotal connection with the bow being below said side edges, whereby an independent upstanding arch support is formed by the rods.

6. A foldable top of the character described comprising covering material, suitable rear bows adapted to be pivotally mounted in place, a supporting frame for the front portion of the covering material including a floating bow, means for holding the floating bow in position with reference to the covering material when the top is-opcn and for freeing the bow when the top is folded, said last mentioned means comprising downwardly breakable jointed side rods pivoted at their rear ends to an adjacent bow and secured at their front ends to the forward portion of the top, substantially as described.

7. A foldable top of the character described comprising covering material, suitable rear bows adapted to be pivotally mounted in place, a supporting frame for the front portion of th covering material including a floating bow, means for separably holding the floating bow in position with reference to the covering material, said floating bow being carried by the covering material when separated from said'holding means and adapted to occupy. a position between the folds thereof when folded, and said last mentioned means comprising downwardly breakable jointed side rods pivoted at their rear ends to an adjacent bow and secured at their front ends to the forward portion of the top, substantially as described.

8. A foldable top of the character described comprising covering material, suitable rcar bows adapted to be pivotally mounted in place, a supporting frame for the front portion of the covering material including a floating bow, means for holding the floating bow in position with reference to-the covering material when the top is open and for freeing the bowwhen the top is folded, said last mentioned means comprising downwardly breakable jointed side rods pivoted at their rear ends to an adjacent bow and secured at their front ends to the forward portion of the top, said jointed side rods including adjusting means for the purpose described.

9. A foldable top of the character described comprising a covering material, bows for supporting the rear portion of the covering material, and a frame for supporting the forward portion of the covering material when the top is open and for freeing the bows when the top is folded comprising a pair of downwardly breakable jointed side rods pivoted at one end to an adjacent bow and secured at the forward end to the front portion of the top, the said jointed side rods being arched upwardly to form an upwardly extending elbow and including adjusting means for the. purpose described.

10. A. foldable top of the character described comprising covering material, suitable rear bows adapted to be pivotally mounted in place, a supporting frame for the front portion of the covering material including a floating bow, means for holding the floating bow in position with reference to the covering material when the. top is open and for freeing the how when the top is folded, said last mentioned means comprising downwardly breakable jointed side rods pivoted at their rear ends to an'adjacent bow and secured at their front ends to the forward portion of the top, and means at the ends of the floating bow for guiding the side rods to operative. relation with the bow in the raising movement of the top.

11. A foldable top of the character described comprising covering material, suitable rear bows adapted to be pivotally mounted in place, a supporting frame for the front portion of the covering material including a floating bow, means for separably holding the floating bow in position with reference to the covering material, said floating bow being carried by the covering material when separated from said holding -means and adapted to occupy a position betweenv the foldsthereof when folded, said last mentioned means comprising downwardly breakable jointed side rods pivoted at their rear ends to an adjacent bow and secured at their-front ends to the forward portion of the top, and means at the ends of the floating bow for guiding the side rods to operative relation with the bow in the raising movementof the top.

12. A foldable top of the character described comprising covering material, suitable rear bows adapted to be pivotally mounted in place, a supporting frame for the front portion of the covering material including a floating bow, means for holding the floating bow in position with reference mounted in place, a supporting to the covering material when the top is open and for freeing the bow when the top is folded, said last mentioned means comprising downwardly breakable jolnted s de rods pivoted at their rear ends to an adjacent bow and secured at their front ends to the forward portion of the top, in combination with stay members for anchoring the front and back of the top substantially as described.

13. A foldable top of the character described comprising covering material, suitable rear bows adapted to be pivotally mounted in place, a supporting frame for the front portion of the covering material including a floating bow, means for separably holding the floating bow in position with reference to the covermg material, said floating bow being carried by the covering material when separated from said holding means and adapted to occupy a position between the folds thereof when folded, and said last mentioned means comprising downwardly breakable jointed side rods pivoted at their rear ends to an adjacent bow and secured at their front ends to the forward portion ofthe top, in combination with stay members for anchoring the front and back of the top, substantially as descrlbed.

14. A foldable top of the character described comprising covering material, sultable rear. bows adapted to be pivotally frame for the front portion of the covering material including a floating bow, means for holdlng the floating bow in position with reference to the covering material when the top is open and for freeing the bow when the top is closed, said last mentioned means comprising downwardly breakable jointed slde rods pivoted at their rearends to an adjacent bow and secured at their front ends to the forward portion of the top, and means at the ends of the floating bow for guiding the side rods to operative relation with the bow in the raising movement of they top, in combination with stay members for anchoring the front and back of the top, substantially as described.

15. A foldable top of the character described comprising covering material, suitable rear bows adapted to be pivotally mounted in place, a supportin frame for the front portion of the covering material including a floating bow, means for separably holding the floating bow in position with reference to the covering material, said floating bow being carried by the covering materialwhen separated from said hold ing means and adapted to occupy a position between the folds thereof when folded, said last mentioned means comprising downwardly breakable jointed slde rods pivoted at their rear ends to an adjacent bow and secured at their front ends to the forward portion of the top, means at the ends of the floating bow for guiding the side rods to operative relation with the bow in the rais ing movement of the top, in combination with stay members for anchoring the front and back of the top, substantially as described.

16. A foldable top of the character described comprising a suitable-covering material, pivoted bows for supporting a part of said covering material, a frame, and a floating bow for supporting another part thereof from the frame when the top is open, said floating bow being separable from the frame to be carried by the covering material and interposed between the folds thereof when the top is lowered.

17. A foldable top of the character described comprising pivoted rear bows, a covering material supported thereby, and means or supporting the forward portion of the covering material comprising a rim at the forward end of the top, downwardly breakable jointed side rods connected to the rim at their forward ends and pivoted to an adjacent bow at their rear ends, and a floating bow arranged intermediate of said rim and said adjacent pivoted bow and bein adapted to support the covering materia from the side rods, said floating bow being arranged to be freed from operative association between the side rods and covering material when the top is folded, sub

stantially as described.

1 8. A foldable top of the character described comprising pivoted rear bows, a coveringvmaterial supported thereby, means for supporting the forward portion of the covering material comprising a rim at the forward end of the top, downwardly breakable jointed side rods connected to the rim at their forward ends and pivoted to an adjacent bow at their rear ends, a floating bow arranged intermediate ofthe rim and said adjacent pivoted bow and being adapted to support the covering material from the side rods, said floating bow being arranged to be freed from operative amociation between the side rods and covering material when the top is folded, and front and rear stay members for anchoring the front and rear of the top, substantially as described.

19. A foldable top of the character described comprising pivoted rear bows, a covering material supported thereby, means for supporting the forward portion of the coverin material comprising a rim at the forward end of the top, downwardly breakable jointed side rods connected to the rim at their forward ends and pivoted to an adjacent bowat their rear ends, a floating bow arranged intermediate of the rim and said adjacent pivoted bow and bein adapted to support the covering material from lid the side rods, said floating bow being arranged to be freed from operative association between the side rods and covering material when the top is folded, the ends of the floating bow being formed with receivin portions to freely accommodate the side ro s.

20. A foldable top of the character described comprising pivoted rear bows, a covering material supported thereby, means for supporting the forward portion of the covering material comprising a rim at the forward end of the top, downwardly breakable jointed side rods connected to the mm at their forward ends and pivoted to an adjacent bow at their rear ends, a floating bow arranged intermediate of the rim and said adjacent pivoted bow and being adapted to support the covering material from the side rods, said floating bow being arranged to be freed from operative association between the side rods and co'verlng material. when the top is folded, the ends of the floating bow being formed with receiving ortions to freely accommodate the side rod and with guide portions leading to said receiving portions, substantially as described.

21. A foldable top of the character described comprising a covering material, suitable rear bows adapted to be attached to a vehicle, and means for supporting the front portion of the. covering material from the rear bows including a forwardly projecting frame connected with a rear bow,

and a bow located wholly forward of the connection between said frame and rear bow interposed between said frame and the coveringmaterial to sustain the latter when the top israised and to be freed from its supporting association between the covering material and frame when the top is lowered.

22. A foldable top of the character described comprising pivoted rear bows, a; covering material su ported thereby, means for supporting the orward portion of the covering material comprising a rim at the forward end of the top, downwardly breakable jointed side rods connected to the rim at their forward ends and pivoted to an adjacent bow at their rear ends a floatin bow arranged intermediate of the rim an said adjacent pivoted bowand being adapted to support the covering material from the side rods, the ends of the floating bow being formed with receiving portions to accommodate the side rods.

23. A foldable top of the character described comprising pivoted rear bows, a covering material su ported thereby, means for supporting the orward portion of the covering material comprising a rim at the forwar end of the top, downwardly breakat able jointed side rods connected to the rim at their forward ends and pivoted to an adjacent bow at their rear ends, a floating bow arranged intermediate of the rim and said adjacent pivoted bow and being adapt ed to support the covering material from the side rods, the ends of the floating bow being formed with receiving portions to accommodate the side rods and with guide portions leading to said receiving portions, substantially as described.

24. In a vehicle top of the character described comprising a flexible covering and a rear supporting bow member, a forward rim member attached to the covering, and means for supporting the forward part of the top comprising arch forming pivotally united rod members of a combined length greater than the distance between the bow and the forward rim part forming thereby an upstanding independent arch support for the forward part of the toplwhen the latter is extended. 1

25. In a vehicle top, a main bow and socket, a rod pivoted to the main bow socket and extending forward y therefrom, a sec- 0nd bow and socket, the end of said socket being pivoted to the outer end of said rod by a knife joint, the pivot of said joint being above a straight line between the axis of the pivot by which saidrod is secured to the main bow and the outer portion of said second bow.

26. A vehicle top provided with a main bow, an arm pivoted thereto, an outrigger bow pivoted to the forward end of the arm, and adapted to form therewith a jointed side bar having an upwardly extending elb'ow, an intermediate bow wholly forward of the pivot between the arm and the main bow and means on the intermediate bow for hearing on the side bar.

27. In a vehicle top, the combination of a mam bow suitably attached to the vehicle body an articulated auxiliary bow pivotally attached 'to said main bow, the outer portion of said auxiliary bow forming an angle on its lower side w1th the inner portion of said bow in the extended condition of the latter, thereby causing the longitudinal rearward thrust of the outer portion to tend to raise the inner portion upwardly, and a supplemental bow adapted to interengage with said auxiliary bow located wholly forward of the pivot between the auxiliary bow and the main bow and said supplemental bow being maintained in such engaging position by t e tension of the top covering between the same and the outer portion of said auxiliary how, the two portions of said auxiliary bow and said supplemental bow thereby constituting a rigid truss supporting the forward end of the top covering.

28. A foldable cover support comprising a rear bow, an intermediate bow, a front bow, upwardly deflected jointed two part side arms pivoted to the rear bow and projecting the front bow from and supporting it on' the rear bow, said intermediate bow located wholly forwardof the pivot connecting the side arms to the rear bow and mounted upon said side arms.

29. A foldable cover support comprising a rear bow, an intermediate bow, a front bow, upwardly deflected rule jointed two part side arms pivoted to the rear bow and projecting the front bow from and supporting it on the rear bow, said intermediate bow located wholly forward of the pivot connecting the side arms to the rear bow and mounted upon said sidev arms.

30. A foldable cover support comprising a rear bow, an intermediate bow, a front bow, upwardly deflected jointed two part side arms pivoted to the rear bow and projecting the front bow from. and supporting it on the rear bow, said intermediate bow located wholly forward of the pivot connecting the side arms to the rear bow and mounted upon said side arms, and means for guiding the intermediate bow into operative relation with the side arms in extendin the top.

31. foldable cover support comprising a rear how, an intermediate bow, a front bow, jointed two part side arms pivoted to the rear bow and supporting the front bow, said intermediate bow being located wholly forward of the pivot connecting the side arms to the rear bow and bearing upon the side arms, said side arms being deflected upwardly to render them self sustaining and adapt them to support the cover load transga itted to them through the intermediate ow. I

32. A foldable cover support provided with a rear bow, an arm pivoted thereto an outrigger bow'pivoted to the forward end of the arm and adapted to formtherewith a jointed upwardly arched two part side bar having an upwardly extending elbow, an intermediate bow located wholly forward of the pivot connecting the arm to the rear bow, and means on the intermediate bow for bearing on the side bar.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES THRUSTON WOLFE.

Witnesses:

CALVIN T. MEANS, GEO. D. RILEY. 

